U.S. defense official rejects Iran's claims about USS Fitzgerald encounter
- A U.S. defense official refuted Iranian media reports about an aggressive encounter between the USS Fitzgerald and an Iranian helicopter.
- Iranian state media claimed that the Iranian helicopter instructed the U.S. warship to change course in Iranian-controlled waters.
- The U.S. official labeled the Iranian claims as misinformation and confirmed that the incident was handled professionally.
On a recent Wednesday, a U.S. defense official responded to claims made by Iranian media regarding an interaction between a U.S. Navy warship, the USS Fitzgerald, and an Iranian helicopter. According to Iranian state-controlled media, the incident involved the warship operating aggressively within proximity of Iranian-controlled waters, which they described as provocative behavior. In contrast, the U.S. official stated that the USS Fitzgerald was operating resiliently in international waters off the Gulf of Oman and interacting with an Iranian SH-3 'Sea King' helicopter. The American narrative emphasized that the encounter was 'safe and professional,' countering the portrayal by Iranian sources. The Iranian reports indicated that the helicopter had demanded the guided-missile destroyer change its course. However, the U.S. defense official asserted that the claims of the warship approaching Iranian waters were unfounded. They insisted that the incident had no bearing on the mission of the USS Fitzgerald and described the reports as misinformation propagated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The official reinforced the commitment of U.S. Central Command to maintain operations that adhere to internationally recognized customs. Iranian media also mentioned that the helicopter had been put under 'full defense cover' due to the perceived hostility of the U.S. destroyer, which allegedly threatened the helicopter during the exchange. However, the U.S. asserted that there was no threat presented by the Fitzgerald, underscoring the utilize routes and professional operations conducted by the ship and its crew in the region. This situation unfolded amid heightened tensions following recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, showcasing the fraught military dynamic present. The ongoing exchange of narratives between Iranian and U.S. sources reflects broader geopolitical tensions and the complexities of military operations in a region notorious for naval encounters. As both countries navigate these strained relations, the U.S. remains committed to continuing its operations while displaying its resolve amidst accusations of aggressive posturing towards Iranian assets in the area.